Ukraine and the EU dismantle First VPN used by anonymous cybercriminals - Prosecutor General's Office
Kyiv • UNN
Law enforcement agencies from Ukraine and the EU have dismantled the First VPN service used by hackers. Searches were conducted in Dnipro, and equipment was seized from one of the administrators.
Law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, France, and the Netherlands, supported by Eurojust and Europol, have dismantled a large-scale criminal VPN service, First VPN. This was reported by UNN with reference to the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Details
The operation was coordinated by the Office of the Prosecutor General, the Main Investigative Department of the National Police of Ukraine, and the Security Service of Ukraine. According to the investigation, the service was oriented toward cybercriminals and provided them with anonymity to commit illegal acts, including hacking attacks and the use of ransomware.
First VPN provided services to hide users' personal data and effectively facilitated cybercriminal activity. The service was featured in a number of international cybercrime investigations
It was also added that on its website, First VPN positioned itself as a completely anonymous service, claiming a refusal to cooperate with law enforcement agencies, the absence of user data storage, and non-subjection to any jurisdiction. At the same time, it was actively advertised on well-known criminal forums.
During a search at the residence of one of the administrators in Dnipro, computer equipment and mobile phones were seized.